Our TeamManagement
Our TeamDirectors
Bob Cottrell
CHAIRMAN Bob has been a director on AML from its beginning in 2013. Bob brings his extensive background and experience as farmer/businessman, farm consultant, Trustee and industry governor to the Board. Bob has chaired the board since 2023, and he is passionate about Māori Economic Development and a proud advocate for Awhina Management Ltd (AML) and the role it can play through facilitating greater collaboration and competitive business opportunities for its members.
Tim Rhodes
MANAGING DIRECTOR Tim has over 25 years involvement in Māori agribusiness. Tim is currently the General Manager of Wi Pere Trust Agribusiness & Forestry, overseeing 6,000 hectares. Other roles include: Member of Tairāwhiti whenua, Current Chief Judge for Ahuwhenua Trophy - Sheep & Beef, Chair of Waipaoa Cadet Training Trust, Trustee of Moeangiangi Station Cadet Training Trust. Tim also sits on various advisory groups for MPI, MfE, Beef & Lamb and Gisborne District Council.
Geoff Rolleston
DIRECTOR Tēnā kotou, Ko Geoff Rolleston ahau. Ko Te Arawa me Mātaatua ngā waka. No Ngāti Whakaue me Tauranga Moana ahau. Nā reira, tēnā kotou katoa. Currently, I am a governor of several iwi organisations in the Bay of Plenty. I serve as an executive member of Māori Kiwifruit Growers Inc and Chair of Māori Kiwifruit Growers Ltd, based in Mt Maunganui. I am also a director of Whakaue Farming Limited and a member of the Committee of Management for Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc in Rotorua. Additional governance roles include entities in the Te Puke region. My professional background also spans the timber and building supplies sector, including sales, marketing, and value-added timber processing.
Clinton Hemana
DIRECTOR Clinton Hemana (Ngāti Pikiao, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) is a nationally respected Māori agribusiness leader with over 20 years’ experience operating at the interface between Māori landowners, the commercial sector, and government. Based in Rotorua, Clinton brings deep whakapapa from Te Arawa and Te Aitanga A Mahaki, trusted relationships, and proven delivery across Aotearoa’s primary industries. Clinton has played a pivotal role in the Awhina Group whānau since 2004, leading strategy facilitation, dairy and environmental policy portfolios, and helping shape a common purpose across its 40+ member entities. His work spans farm systems analysis, farm management, farm planning, regional planning, freshwater reform, climate policy, He Waka Eke Noa negotiations, and national industry strategy. Professionally, Clinton has held senior national roles with DairyNZ (including Kaiārahi Ahuwhenua Māori and Associate Director) and PGG Wrightson (National Māori Agribusiness Manager). He is a governance professional serving as Chair and Director across numerous Māori trusts and incorporations, and is an experienced assessor for MBIE, MPI and Vision Mātauranga funding programmes. Clinton is a active member of the Government Industry Agreement on Biosecurity Kahui and the Beef + LambNZ kahui groups. Clinton is known for his integrity, strategic foresight, and ability to translate Māori aspirations into practical, results-driven outcomes. He is passionate about unlocking the potential of Māori agribusiness and ensuring that Māori landowners are influential partners in shaping Aotearoa’s economic and environmental future.
